Echo Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
New Hampshire
- Home
- State Parks
- New Hampshire
- Echo Lake State Park
Echo Lake State Park is a small, comfortable park in the White Mountains area of New Hampshire. The park is known for good fishing and swimming, along with easy hikes on short trails. There's a sandy beach, which has plenty of shade if you want to avoid the sun or wide open areas to bask in the sunlight. The lake is small at just a bit more than 15 acres, but that contributes to the coziness of this state park and makes it an excellent place for a leisurely paddling adventure.
Nearby Cities:
Conway, NH
St. Johnsbury, NH
Concord, NH
Lincoln, NH
Spring 19-64 F
Summer 51-81 F
Fall 22-72 F
Winter 8-34 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Echo Lake State Park
There are no camping facilities of any kind at Echo Lake State Park.
Saco River Camping Area
Located 4.2 miles from Echo Lake State Park, the Saco River Camping Area is a family-friendly campground located in Mount Washington Valley. The campground offers a host of facilities and things to do; you can explore the Conway Scenic Railway and Story Land, play golf and tennis, hike and bike, and boat and swim.
The Saco River Camping Area has more than 180 full-hookup sites that can accommodate trailers and RVs up to 50 feet long. Most of the sites are close to the Saco River, so visitors can enjoy scenic views and the incessant sounds of the flowing river. If you love sports, the campground allows you to play basketball, bocce, gaga ball, laser tag, whiffle ball, horseshoes, and more.
The camping area also offers bike, kayak, boat, golf cart, and canoe rentals, a country store for the best state products, a heated swimming pool, and free Wi-Fi. The environment in Mount Washington Valley and the area around the Saco River make for the best camping ground. Nightly rates start at $8 for an adult, $5 for a child, and $5 for a pet. The location of the site you choose will affect the rates charged per night, with Deluxe Waterfront sites being the most expensive.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Modern toilets, shower, playgrounds
Beach Camping Area
Located 5.6 miles from Echo Lake State Park off route NH-16 N, the Beach Camping Area is set along the Saco River. Most of the sites sit along the Saco River. Some are shaded by the tall trees in the campground, but others are sunny. Better still, some sites allow a scenic view of the mountains.
Inside the Beach Camping Area is a recreation pavilion, a playground for kids, tax-free shopping stalls, and canoe, kayak, and tubing rentals. The Kancamagus Highway is located 2 miles from the campground. This highway takes you into the White Mountain National Forest, where you can enjoy more nature.
There are more than 100 campsites, with each site accommodating two full-size RVs. The sites offer three-way hookups with 20-, 30-, and 50-amp service. For each site, you get a dump station, a fire pit, picnic tables, metered hot showers, and flushing toilets. Other facilities and amenities include wireless broadband internet, a laundry room, and a camp store for wood, ice, toys, and other supplies. Nightly rates start at $40 for no-hookup sites and $49 for standard hookup sites.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
What to Do at
Echo Lake State Park
Swimming and boating are the two biggest activities at Echo Lake State Park. In addition, the grounds are just right for picnics, and some of the tables overlook the water. Before or after you eat, you can take a stroll or a relaxing bike ride on the trails west of the lake.
Inside Echo Lake State Park
Echo Lake State Park is a great place for swimming, picnicking, and sightseeing along the trails. The trails tower over the lake, and so does the 700-foot Cathedral Ledge, allowing visitors the best views of White Mountain, Echo Lake, and the Saco River Valley. The Cathedral and White Horse ledges offer great ice- and rock-climbing walls. When winter kicks in, visitors can enjoy snowmobiling, ice fishing, and other snow activities.
Hiking
The Echo Lake Trail circumnavigates the lake. It's a shade more than a mile long and is suitable for a family hike. The Elm Brook Perimeter Trail is a loop trail for both hiking and mountain biking. It's 3 miles long and is moderately challenging. The longest trail is the White Horse Trail, which climbs the nearby hills and rises about 1,000 feet above Echo Lake. This route also connects to a mountain bike trail that goes to Red Ridge.
Climbing
The Slabs is a climbing area at Whitehorse Ledge, which is near Echo Lake State Park. The area features no fewer than 26 traditional and sport climbs, one of which is monstrously difficult, with a 5.12a rating. Most of the climbs, however, are intermediate in difficulty and range from 5.5 to 5.9. There is one 5.3, and that's called "Beginners Easy Variation." Despite its name, it's still an intermediate climb.
Flora and Fauna
While exploring the trails, you may glimpse black bears and moose. Birders will appreciate seeing and hearing a variety of songbirds at the park, which includes finches, cardinals, and chickadees. Along the wooded trails, you'll find American beech trees along with Eastern white pine and red maple. Primrose and bluebead lily are two of the many wildflowers that bloom in the woods and meadows in spring and early summer.
Geocaching
The geocache near Echo Lake State Park consists of three stages. It's on one of the hiking trails in the park. Once you find it, you can sign the logbook and take a prize.
Fishing
Common catches at the park are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and several trout species. You can fish from the shores of the lake or the banks of the streams.
Boating
Kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized watercraft are welcome on the lake. You can launch them from the swimming area.
Swimming
There is a sandy beach to swim from, and it is a great place to take a dip to cool off during the dog days of summer. It is also great for kids because the water along the shore is shallow.
How to Get to
Echo Lake State Park
From Concord and all points south, take Route 93 north. Proceed to Ashland and turn northeast on Route 3 to the junction with Route 113 in Holderness. Turn north on Route 113. Follow Route 113 as it turns east, and proceed to Chocorua, where you will turn north on Route 16. Follow Route 16 all the way to Echo Lake State Park.
From the east, such as Lewiston, Maine, take Route 95 south to Gray. Proceed west on Route 202 until it crosses Route 115. Take Route 115 southwest to Route 302. Follow Route 302 north until it turns west just past the junction with Route 121. Continue on Route 302 to Redstone, where it meets Route 16. Take Route 16 north to Echo Lake State Park.
Entering Echo Lake State Park
Parking is available near the beach. The day-use cost for Echo Lake State Park is $4 for adults and $2 for children from 6 to 11 years of age. Younger children and seniors are free.
Echo Lake State Park Per Person (Adult) : $4.0
Echo Lake State Park Per Person (Child 6-11 Years Old) : $2.0
Echo Lake State Park Per Person (65 Years and Older) : $0.0
Whether you love the water or are interested in exploring New Hampshire's outdoors, Echo Lake State Park has an adventure waiting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Echo Lake State Park
The period from May through October is best because that's when the park is staffed. Also, the water is comfortable, and the weather is mild enough not to need cold-weather gear for hiking. The colorful foliage is quite a sight to behold if you plan your visit for fall.
Songbirds are the most common form of wildlife in Echo Lake State Park. You'll also see small mammals and rabbits. Occasionally, you might even glimpse a moose or black bear.
No, there are no campsites of any kind at Echo Lake State Park.
You do not have to make a reservation for parking at the park, but they are recommended during peak season, and you can make them 30 days before your planned arrival date. There is no fee to reserve a spot.
Pets are not allowed at Echo Lake from May 1 to October 31. If you bring your furry companions with you at other times of the year, they must be on a leash, and you are responsible for cleaning up after them.